Part of a nationwide program administered by the Defense Logistics Agency, OBAN is sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education with funding support from all levels of government. OBAN provides marketing and technical assistance to Oklahoma businesses interested in selling products and services to federal, state, local and tribal governments.

Findeiss and other award winners will be honored at the state Capitol and an awards luncheon June 17.

Findeiss helps companies market products and services to local, state and federal government agencies. He works with businesses, including those owned by veterans, throughout the 900 square miles of Tulsa Tech’s territory and with businesses outside the Tulsa area when requested.

“Larry’s background in aerospace as a pilot, a business professional and an industry leader brings great value to OBAN’s clients and his fellow coordinators across the state. We are proud of his work and congratulate him in this SBA recognition,” said Carter Merkle, OBAN program manager with Oklahoma CareerTech.

Findeiss is active with the Mayor’s Veteran Advisory Council in Tulsa and also participates in Community Service Council veterans initiative programs. He has worked with a coalition of Veterans Administration, veteran service organizations, area health and mental health agencies and volunteers concerning the Homeless Veterans Stand Down in Tulsa.

Findeiss is a veteran himself. He attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., and was a member of the Navy ROTC. He served six years on active duty as an aviator. He was deployed in the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf and also served in Washington, D.C., and Pensacola, Fla.

He left active service in 1977 to attend Dartmouth College and accepted a commission in the Navy Reserve. He retired in 2000 at the rank of commander.

OBAN also has ties to the Small Business Persons of the Year in Oklahoma, Brett Bain and Brian Edwards, co-founders of Fair Wind LLC. The company, which provides industrial cleaning and maintenance services to oil and gas and wind companies, worked with OBAN through Great Plains Technology Center’s Economic Development Center. Great Plains Tech and OBAN provided training in bid assistance for government contracting; business plan development, financial services and human resources; and trademarks, exports and OSHA issues.

The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide system of career and technology education. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 59 campuses, 391 comprehensive school districts and 13 Skills Centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities.

The agency is governed by the State Board of Career and Technology Education and works closely with the State Department of Education and the State Regents for Higher Education to provide a seamless educational system for all Oklahomans.